She’s the best racehorse in the world and has captivated the Australian public in a way not seen since Phar Lap.
Black Caviar has taken Sydney by storm.
Aside from the Melbourne Cup, never before has horse racing had such overwhelming public attention as it has now thanks to Black Caviar.
The stats are phenomenal, 11 wins from 11 starts, most by multiple lengths, and already more than $2.6 million in prize money.
The four-year-old mare was picked up for a comparatively measly $200,000 by trainer Peter Moody for the five luckiest owners in Australia.
It’s not just the owners who are benefiting though with the entire racing industry looking for a piece of the wonder mare.
This Saturday she will race in the TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick where more than 30,000 are expected.
Special public transport services have had to be put on to handle the influx of crowds coming from all corners of the State.
It will be the first and potentially only time she races in New South Wales and the phenomenal support has seen gate sales at Ticketek double from this time last year.
“Hero horses and people’s horses come along very rarely in racing,” said Australian Turf Club CEO Darren Pearce.
“Everyone is getting on board the Black Caviar express.”
“She is a magnificent horse to watch, a brilliant physical specimen.”
While he is now accustomed to the increased attention, even Peter Moody was overwhelmed by the volume of media which greeted him at the Inglis Easter Sales.
“I haven’t seen as many people at a press conference in Australian racing in my lifetime,” he said.
“Cox Plates, Melbourne Cups and Golden Slippers don’t create as much interest as this horse does.”
While Moody has shown interest in possible races throughout Asia and Europe at the end of this year and next season, for now he’s content to give Australians the chance to catch a glimpse of a once in a lifetime race horse.
“Why not showcase her here first?” he said.
“I think we deserve her.”
“Why rush her off overseas?”
“There are plenty of planes coming this way if they (foreign interests) want to have a crack at her.”
The usually reserved and understated Moody is blunt with his predictions for race day and expects the crowds to get exactly what they came to see.
“I don’t want to sound bullish about it, but she has beaten her major competitors out of sight,” he said.
“Facts and figures tell you the opposition can’t beat her without something going amiss.”
“That’s plain and simple.”
